what kind(s) of meds do you use?

[RunMS]

I talked to my neurologist about the MS drugs and I doubt I will end up taking one after my upcoming MRI at the end of Sept. Since 1991, I've had a few MRIs and each one is better than the preceding one. So, what I'm doing is working up to this point anyway.

Good luck everyone.

This is great that this is working for you. Out of curiosity what made you decide not to try the injectables?

[BBBBB]

I take no meds except

I take no MS meds and I never have. I have never even used steroids. I take only aspirins because at my age they recommend one a day. Most days, I neglect to take one though.

I do live an ultra-healthy life style. I follow the Swank MS diet, take some common sense nutrients (calcium, D3, B12, B1, B3, fish oil with omega-3s, and folate). I exercise regularly, sleep enough.

I was diagnosed in 1991 and am now 58. I have no visible symptoms and some rather minor invisible symptoms.

I'm a big believer in Swank but I have adjusted his supplement recommendations a little bit based on my own research.

I talked to my neurologist about the MS drugs and I doubt I will end up taking one after my upcoming MRI at the end of Sept. Since 1991, I've had a few MRIs and each one is better than the preceding one. So, what I'm doing is working up to this point anyway.

Good luck everyone.

[MDER123]

Beta

I'll be different, I am on Betaseron I take my shot in the morning instead of at night. I was having alot of trouble sleeping and this seemed t have helped it.

[Kimberly]

Re: What kinds of meds...

I inject Rebif. I take Baclofen and Klonopin for muscle spasticity, Aricept for the cognitive issues, and Celexa. Just finished my second round of IV steroids in a month 2 days ago. I also take Salmon oil and a B complex suppliment.

[cochrajk]

The glass of wine sounds like a good ritual. My brother is a bartender and makes something that tastes like Hawaiian punch...but has 151 in it. I teased him that I would like the recipe so I could mix a drink up before my shots...only problem is that I chose Copaxone, and one a day so that I am okay with injecting one a day is a little excessive. A glass of wine is probably a bit better!

[Bridget]

Avonex user

hi - I've been on Avonex for about 1.5 years - it's really not that bad. The worst part was watching the instruction video and the slow motion needle jab they do! The nurse who showed me how to inject told me "the needle is made to peirce the skin - so you don't have to work to hard at it". I think of that every time I inject and it makes it easier. I grab a bit of my thigh muscle and do a quick jab then a slow injection. I also have a glass of wine with me as part of my prep (always good to have a process). Then I take Ibuprofin and a half an Ambien and sleep it off. The only prob is around 2 pm the next day I MUST have a nap.

[Angel@]

hi,
when I got the instructions for using the avonex, I was told that you cant really miss the muscle in your leg. hahahaha but maybe that was a nice way of saying that I've got big legs...hahaha

if you devide your upper part of your leg in 4 parts and take the outer upper part...you cant miss..
I've got 3 birth marks just near where I need to inject so one leg is always right

3 years.....jeez.....
greetings,
Angela
Angela

[ScottK]

Hmmm, interesting...

I am not sure if that buys me anymore advantage at the moment, but I will keep it bookmarked for future reference.

I can see people that are having dexterity or strength problems with their hands it would be a huge help.

When you first mentioned it, I thought it was an auto-injector like the copaxone injector I use. This unit still requires the steps I already take (check for blood, push it in, etc).

One bonus I see with it is the lights. I look like an idiot when I take my avonex shot. I put a headlamp on to see what the heck I am doing. If I was simply using overhead lights, my hands always cast a shadow so I can't see what I am doing. Direct light at the injection site, that is cool.

As far my situation, the study is suppose to last 3 years.

[Angel@]

hi,
lol....see how we worry about differ. things. you getting used to the injections and me not being able to use avonex without the PI.

check out: http://www.personalinjector.com

it will show that its not an accident waiting to happen but very usefull.
I "do' my shot with avonex in the weekend. the day after I really need to do as little as possible so not a good idea going to work with that

good to hear you're not having marks from the copaxone. for how long do you still need to continue with this?
hope you're well,
greetings,
Angela

[ScottK]

I dont mind the avonex shot. try indeed to relax my muscle by sitting on a chair or couch and using a PI (personal injector?) so that I dont have to play darts with the needle.

WTF?!?!

You have some type of auto injector for avonex???

That sounds dangerous to me. The needle being as long as it is, and having to go into the muscle...seems like an accident waiting to happen.

In a strange, F'd-up way, you get use to taking 8 shots. I do my avonex on Tuesdays (easy to remember, Tuesday-twover (sp?), it is strange how you remember things from places such as radio in the '80s, even made me dig up the Def Leppard CD the other day, but I digress....). I always do my shots right before bed. Any swelling from the copaxone is gone by morning. Sometimes I get a hard knot at the injection site, but they are few and far between.

[Angel@]

The study Scott is on is testing Avonex and Copaxone combined (sponsored by the NIH). So to keep it blind, everyone has to take 8 shots a week.

OMG..... 8???? I think you are brave!!! very brave. I'm sometimes having trouble with my avonex shot once a week already... 8??? jeezzz
burning a candle indeed that its not the placebo....jeez

I dont mind the avonex shot. try indeed to relax my muscle by sitting on a chair or couch and using a PI (personal injector?) so that I dont have to play darts with the needle. couldnt do with the subcutane for the marks you sometimes get.
already dont like my legs

better as my hands sometimes have little control or strenght

ow well.... if the avonex reduses the amount of relapses with 30% to 40% then I think I should use that. its one of the few things I can do to "stop" the MS.

greetings,
Angela

[ActiveMSers]

The study Scott is on is testing Avonex and Copaxone combined (sponsored by the NIH). So to keep it blind, everyone has to take 8 shots a week.

50% get both drugs, no placebo
25% get just Copaxone and a weekly placebo
25% get just Avonex and a daily placebo

So 50% of the group is taking some sort of placebo and shooting up with sugar water. But at least everyone is on at least some sort of therapy....

[ScottK]

ok. hmmm. is that then 3 groups. one with avonex, one with copaxone and one with sugar water? brrr. hope thats its not the last one.

but doesnt copaxone needs to be subcutane? so.. not in the muscle?

The study has three groups: one getting copaxone and placebo, one getting avonex and placebo, and one getting both.

I am simply basing my assumptions on the side-effects people get for each drug.

Yes, you are correct, copaxone is only under the skin, so it is not bad at all, a few stings from time to time.

The avonex is what sucks. You have to put it pretty deep into your leg. They say your shoulder muscles are fair game too, but I have never tried it there. I have had two occasions now when I got into the muscle, it flexed involuntarily. The first time was a little sore, but the second time the contraction didn't let go for a few seconds. That muscle was sore for a few days.

For me personally, I have to relax quite a bit before taking that shot. I usually will rub the leg nice and deep to get the muscles loose and any stress that I have been building up from the day. It has been a little over a year now taking it, so it isn't all that bad, just worse than the copaxone shot by comparison with my preparation method and all.

[ActiveMSers]

Pat, a gin an tonic? Perfect! One of my many vices. My favorite gin is Martin Miller's from London. It is so good, tonic isn't even needed. Floral, smooth, and worth the $30. Here are some tasting notes.
http://www.oddbins.com/products/prod...ductcode=13200

[Angel@]

I am in a study combining Copaxone and Avonex.

ok. hmmm. is that then 3 groups. one with avonex, one with copaxone and one with sugar water? brrr. hope thats its not the last one.

but doesnt copaxone needs to be subcutane? so.. not in the muscle?
love to hear more,
greetings, Angela